Use De Moivre's Theorem to show that if z = cos(q)+isin(q), then (z^n)+(z^-n) = 2cos(nq) and (z^n)-(z^-n)=2isin(nq).

De Moivre's Theorem states that if z = cos(q)+isin(q), then

zn = (cos(q)+isin(q))n = cos(nq)+isin(nq)

But then 

z-n = cos(-nq)+isin(-nq).

Now, cos(-p)=cos(p), as cosine is a symmetric (even) function, and sin(-p)=-sin(p), as sine is an anti-symmetric (odd) fuction. Thus,

z-n  = cos(nq)-isin(nq).

The rest is just algebra:

zn+z-n = [cos(nq)+isin(nq)]+[cos(nq)-isin(nq)] = 2cos(nq).

zn-z-n = [cos(nq)+isin(nq)]-[cos(nq)-isin(nq)] = 2isin(nq).

DA

Related Further Mathematics A Level answers

All answers ▸

The finite region bounded by the x-axis, the curve with equation y = 2e^2x , the y-axis and the line x = 1 is rotated through one complete revolution about the x-axis to form a uniform solid. Show that the volume of the solid is 2π(e^2 – 1)


Prove that the sum of squares of the first n natural numbers is n/6(n+1)(2n+1)


How do you calculate the derivative of cos inverse x?


A particle is projected from the top of a cliff, 20m above the sea level at an angle of 30 degrees above the horizontal at 20m/s. At what vertical speed does it hit the water?